Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-10-2012, 04:34 PM   #1
Rivet Master
 
JimGolden's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
1977 31' Excella 500
Berkeley Springs , West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,637
Images: 7
Silver Trailers Too Small

OK, I've said it. Even though I have a 34' triple axle, my family of four was at the beach last week and a nasty storm blew up. It stormed from 10:00pm until 6:00pm the next day. My 7 year old boy likes to spread his Lego's in a 3' radius all around him. My 12 year old daughter was trying to find a place to hang out. Me and the wife sat wherever we could. The trailer felt....SMALL!

Yes, I know it's heresy to admit it on here. But we found ourselves wishing we had a big 5er. As I rode my bike through the campground (Camp Hatteras in NC...very nice place) I saw that for most of the week I had the only silver trailer there. Later I saw two others...but mainly I saw 5ers and big Class A's.

We've looked at a Raptor toy hauler. The last 10' is rubberized on the floor and has tie downs so that I can bring my V-Rod. When the Harley is out of the camper, you hit a button and TWO queen beds come down. The kids get to use the "garage" as their own space once we're set up and my son can spread his Lego's out all he likes.

Am I a traitor?

I like my trailer (it's actually an Avion, but the difference is very minor...) but the floorplan is basically laid out for a retired couple. We have the gaucho across the front that turns into a bed. But it's a pain in the rear to have to fold that out every night. As well, the little fold out table in the front is great, but when beddy bye time comes....I have to put away all the legos and then fold the table up, pull the couch out into a bed, and then and only then can they sleep.

I have been trying to think of mods I can do to help alleviate things. First I've designed a bunk bed that would replace the gaucho that would put the one mattress on the ground and the other one would basically slide down on the vertical rails and sit on it for a couch. You simply raise the platform up and it'd click to form a bunk bed or "rack" like we had in the Navy and each kid would have their own little area. It's be a lot less trouble than the gaucho.

But, what do I do about Lego Man? He needs room. Without a slide out, the trailer is basically like being in a B-17 fuselage where it's long and skinny.

I want to make a circumnavigation of the lower 48 while my kids are still young enough to enjoy it. But wifey says we'd kill each other being trapped in the long long tube for a month. What to do?????

Also, what do I do with the Harley? I could put it in the bed of the truck, but I really like the Toy Hauler idea.

I've replaced everything that's worn out on this trailer. She's in great shape. I just installed three new MaxxAir Deluxe Vents (not shown in this photo but they're the low profile type that you can leave on in the rain and tow with them open...very nice), it's got new a/c, new fridge, new water heater, new kitchen faucet, new toilet, and new DWV plumbing. I like it a whole big bunch and it even polishes up pretty nicely. It's just not made for a family

What do you guys think?
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Avion 2.jpg
Views:	157
Size:	50.6 KB
ID:	165373  
__________________
- Jim
JimGolden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 04:53 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
TBRich's Avatar

 
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson , Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
Images: 64
Really? Not trying to be harsh, but if you can't fathom living in a 34' trailer (even if it's not an AS) with 1 other adult and 2 kids and Legos for a month, perhaps you should sell it and get a 5er. Your trailer is not going to get longer or wider (unless you were to get one with a slide-out)...

Or rent a smaller trailer for a week-long trip ... then everyone will appreciate the expanse of a 34'...
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
TBRich is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 05:19 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
loudruff's Avatar
 
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.7 Metre
1989 29' Excella
Lorain County , Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,246
Images: 5
Send a message via AIM to loudruff Send a message via MSN to loudruff Send a message via Yahoo to loudruff
what you need

What you need is a portable "rec" room. They have the FL room that attaches to the side of the AS. It works great. Or you could buy one of those portable shelters for the kids. How old are they? Can they pitch a tent next to the AS?
__________________
Larry and Lou
CP: Water/30 amp/waste dump/WIFI & Room for 2-3 units; PM us if you are headed our direction!
Air #2695
TAC- OH 2
#1420 NOVA 4-006 Charter member


loudruff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 05:56 PM   #4
3 Rivet Member
 
tcrum's Avatar
 
1978 31' Sovereign
Cookeville , Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 113
Images: 1
my brother will sell you his raptor. His is too small for him his wife and his two kids. My four kids, two dogs and wife all seem to fit in our 31' airstream without a problem.
tcrum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 06:33 PM   #5
Vince & Virginia
 
Towster's Avatar
 
1969 21' Globetrotter
Riverside , California
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 166
3 or 4 years. Can you last that long? By then, your daughter will have a part-time job and won't travel with you anymore. Your son will give up legos and be content with some miniature electronic device that hasn't yet been invented.

You will then have plenty of space.

Of course, in a another couple of years after that, your daughter will want to bring her boyfriend on a camping trip (even though he was supposed sleep in a tent, the ensuing storm will drive him in). Your son will take up bmx biking and need to bring two bikes along, and a friend and his friend's bike. You might even take up astronomy and want to bring some humongous telescopes that you made in the off-season. Your wife might bring her laptop and stacks of files from the office that need to be spread out on the table.

I speak from a small amount of personal experience. A trip to Yosemite in our 21 footer resulted in 6 adults and one 10 year old stuffed in the tiny trailer for 12 hours while it rained buckets outside.

It was the ultimate test of tolerance.

Virginia
Towster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 06:39 PM   #6
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
sandlapper's Avatar
 
1993 34' Excella
York , South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,417
Images: 7
Jim, next time take the family to Ocean Lakes Campground at Myrtle Beach. Even when the weather turns crappy there is still plenty of stuff for the chaps to do. It is a big, busy place, quite the opposite of Outer Banks camping but right on the ocean and heaven for kids. They will love you for it and everyone will be happy, including you 'cause you will still have your silver trailer.

John
__________________
John
WBCCI #268 Palmetto State Airstream Club 22
Region 3 Past President....come with us, you will like it.

Go often to the house of a friend, for weeds choke the unused path........Emerson

Are you kind?..... Uncle John's Band
sandlapper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 07:57 PM   #7
Moderator
 
DKB_SATX's Avatar

 
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,493
Images: 1
Blog Entries: 7
There's no harm in what you're saying. No trailer is all things to all people, which is why lots of 5th wheels get sold.

You won't have any problem finding someone to buy the Avion, I predict you'll get better resale on it relative to what you paid than you will with the 5th wheel replacement when it's time to upgrade or downsize that one.

Our trailer is great for 2 plus the small calm dog, a little tight with the bigger difficult dog along. Another couple with a dog or two might find it a bad floorplan, or too big or too small for their tastes.

Find the trailer or moho that is most comfortable for your family, and enjoy traveling in it. No matter what you do, someone will tell you you're crazy and someone else will ask why you didn't do that in the first place.
__________________
— David

Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566

He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
DKB_SATX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 07:58 PM   #8
3 Rivet Member
 
cojer's Avatar
 
1966 17' Caravel
salida , Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 204
Images: 5
how many axles would it take under your house to drag it along?...just a thought
cojer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 08:14 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
dkottum's Avatar
 
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake , Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
Our Airstream is huge compared to the five VW campers we traveled all over the country with over the years. Tiny compared to many new campers.

But we don't have them for the space they offer. It's the magic.

doug k
dkottum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 08:23 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
PA BAMBI II's Avatar
 
1964 17' Bambi II
1961 24' Tradewind
Strasburg , Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 911
Trailer size is fine- too much stuff...

I grew up camping in a 31' Airstream. I saw 34 states before I graduated from high school. There were five of us (four for a long time, then my kid sister was born when I was 8. She slept on a homemade plywood bed platform over the tub in the bathroom for several years).

Dad had limits on what we could take. Once our personal space was filled up, we were done packing. We had to be very selective in what we wanted to bring on each trip. Legos were out- too easy to lose- unless we got a set while on our travels...we could CAREFULLY build the set one evening.

We would not stay in the trailer for hours on end, even on rainy days. We went and saw things. We went sightseeing and viewed the local sights everywhere we went. The trailer was for eating and sleeping and unwinding before bed. Otherwise we were happily on the go.

Your trailer size is fine- perhaps even overkill. You are trying to take too much stuff. I am "up-sizing" to a 17' Airstream because our 13' Scotty is too small for three of us (Mommy and I and a 17 month old) and we have a baby on the way. I think the extra 4' should make a world of difference.
__________________
"The difference between vintage and retro is that vintage is honestly old and cool. Retro tries to be but isn't."
PA BAMBI II is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 08:35 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Ag&Au's Avatar
 
Port Orchard , Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimGolden View Post
...................................
But, what do I do about Lego Man? .................................
That's pretty simple. LEGO's don't go camping. Find him something to do less space consuming. Pretty soon you will be tearing the trailer apart to retrieve that one crucial LEGO that fell down some crack. My opinion is that you need some hierarchy readjustment.


Ken
Ag&Au is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 08:42 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
Road Ruler's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines , South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
Images: 38
Back in the 60's our family of 4 traveled for weeks in a 16' Mallard. Today we have a 23' stream which seems huge by comparision. To us your 34' would seem like the Queen Mary. It's all relative I guess.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
Road Ruler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 08:49 PM   #13
Rivet Master
 
Soyboy's Avatar
 
1999 28' Excella
Frederick , Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 739
Images: 50
Me thinks you should buy what you want. Life is short. Others say they make due with their trailers, that's fine, but that's not you. There are a lot of nice 5er's out there. Me, I can't imagine not having an Airstream, but they do have a number of limitations. Mostly, space problems storage and living. I know when the 3 of us are "cooped up" in ours due to weather or whatever (like last weekend) a nice big 5er sounds good . Space, space, space, lots of space. Lots of storage space, lots of bedroom space, nice big bathroom(s), big tanks. Sweet. However, I also think they look ridiculous coming down the road (that huge trailer hulking over a little truck...weird), they are just too big for a number of state park campsites we like and they are an SOB that will start to look like crap and fall apart within 8-10 years. Furthermore, unlike an Airstream, they have zero style cool factor to me, which is the main reason most folks buy AS anyway truth told. But like I said, and I am not being facetious, buy what you really want/need, life is short. Enjoy.

Oh yeah, don't even use words like traitor! In the end, their all just travel trailers and should be more about the fun of camping than anything else.
__________________
1999 28' Safari
2012 F150 Platinum Max Tow 7650 GVWR 3.73 Elec. Locking Diff.(Prev 2003 Dmax).
Honda EU2000i, Equalizer Hitch
AM Solar Panels 150W - 2 Trojan T 105 6V Batteries

KC3MAP

On internet forums, please research and separate the wheat from the chaff (including mine!)
Soyboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 08:59 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
Becky B.'s Avatar
 
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville , Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
Images: 19
My daughter just sold her Argosy Minuet. Her husband hated sleeping in it because it was so small. They're looking at SOB's. That's OK, they have to do whatever makes them happy while camping! I've lost an AS comrad, but my daughter & grandson will gain a happy camping hubby/dad and that's what is important! Not the brand you choose! (I love AS's tho!)
__________________
Becky


1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
Becky B. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 10:18 PM   #15
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
My husband and I and two dogs are happy in our 17ft trailer, but the dogs have to leave their Legos at home

One man's cozy is another man's cramped!
__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 10:20 PM   #16
Rivet Master
 
ROBERTSUNRUS's Avatar

 
2005 25' Safari
Salem , Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
Images: 18
Blog Entries: 55
Hi, I guess this might sound harsh too, but after reading your story, I feel that you are just making excuses to justify a new RV. Storm, Legos, and a Harley. If you want a 50' long, 20' wide, fifth wheel toy hauler, with eight slide outs, just do it. Bigger is better right?
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
ROBERTSUNRUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 10:32 PM   #17
Rivet Master
 
Silverwanabe's Avatar
 
1967 26' Overlander
Winston Salem , North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 524
Images: 107
I have heard this and it is true for Silver trailers:

Cocktails for 6
Dinner for 4
Sleeps 2
__________________
Greg
Winston Salem, NC
WBCCI 5218,
Corresponding Secretary Piedmont NC Unit 161,
1967 Overlander International.
1979 Avion 30ft rear bath
TV's 88 Chevy Suburban 454, 3:42, TH400
95 Cadillac FW Brougham, LT1,3:42, 7k tow pk.
Silverwanabe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 10:44 PM   #18
Rivet Master
 
DanB's Avatar
 
1970 23' Safari
2005 30' Classic
1986 31' Sovereign
Lorain , Ohio
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,645
Images: 9
Last week we camped at an indian casino surrounded by big class a buses. We visited for an hour in one with twin leather couches, 6 foot of tile floor between them, dining area, washer dryer, basically the works.

I loved it.

Tires cost $800 each. 8 tires.

I hated it.

My 2005 30' Classic will last 25 years easy. How long does a fifth wheel last? Do whats right for your family and your wallet. I too poor to be cheap.
__________________
DanB
________________________________
Proud Member of the Wally Byam Airstream Club #24260

www.campnova.com

The “Ohio Airstreamer -- Informal forum for weekend camping” thread.
DanB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 11:42 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
2006 22' International CCD
2007 Base Camp
Elk Valley , British Columbia
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 657
My folks have a mid size 5 with one slide. It makes for a much more social space when we want to have my wife, baby and I visit. We never have guests inside our 22'. It's for eating, pooping, and sleeping.

If your camping experience is 90% inside the trailer, I'd say get a big-ass trailer... I'd also ask, why leave home if you are basically living the same experience on the road?

There is no wrong answer. Get what works for you, and that may change over time. We had a Basecamp... Groovy unit, but not so great with a baby. If it turns out we can't make our Intl work, we will get something else... Maybe that is another Airstream, maybe not.
Friday is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2012, 02:19 AM   #20
3 Rivet Member
 
Urbanologist's Avatar
 
2009 34' Panamerica
2008 22' Safari
Metro Detroit Area & Metro Dallas Area , Michigan & Texas
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 222
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimGolden View Post
OK, I've said it. Even though I have a 34' triple axle, my family of four was at the beach last week and a nasty storm blew up. It stormed from 10:00pm until 6:00pm the next day. My 7 year old boy likes to spread his Lego's in a 3' radius all around him. My 12 year old daughter was trying to find a place to hang out. Me and the wife sat wherever we could. The trailer felt....SMALL!

Yes, I know it's heresy to admit it on here. But we found ourselves wishing we had a big 5er. As I rode my bike through the campground (Camp Hatteras in NC...very nice place) I saw that for most of the week I had the only silver trailer there. Later I saw two others...but mainly I saw 5ers and big Class A's.

We've looked at a Raptor toy hauler. The last 10' is rubberized on the floor and has tie downs so that I can bring my V-Rod. When the Harley is out of the camper, you hit a button and TWO queen beds come down. The kids get to use the "garage" as their own space once we're set up and my son can spread his Lego's out all he likes.

Am I a traitor?

I like my trailer (it's actually an Avion, but the difference is very minor...) but the floorplan is basically laid out for a retired couple. We have the gaucho across the front that turns into a bed. But it's a pain in the rear to have to fold that out every night. As well, the little fold out table in the front is great, but when beddy bye time comes....I have to put away all the legos and then fold the table up, pull the couch out into a bed, and then and only then can they sleep.

I have been trying to think of mods I can do to help alleviate things. First I've designed a bunk bed that would replace the gaucho that would put the one mattress on the ground and the other one would basically slide down on the vertical rails and sit on it for a couch. You simply raise the platform up and it'd click to form a bunk bed or "rack" like we had in the Navy and each kid would have their own little area. It's be a lot less trouble than the gaucho.

But, what do I do about Lego Man? He needs room. Without a slide out, the trailer is basically like being in a B-17 fuselage where it's long and skinny.

I want to make a circumnavigation of the lower 48 while my kids are still young enough to enjoy it. But wifey says we'd kill each other being trapped in the long long tube for a month. What to do?????

Also, what do I do with the Harley? I could put it in the bed of the truck, but I really like the Toy Hauler idea.

I've replaced everything that's worn out on this trailer. She's in great shape. I just installed three new MaxxAir Deluxe Vents (not shown in this photo but they're the low profile type that you can leave on in the rain and tow with them open...very nice), it's got new a/c, new fridge, new water heater, new kitchen faucet, new toilet, and new DWV plumbing. I like it a whole big bunch and it even polishes up pretty nicely. It's just not made for a family

What do you guys think?
Well, for starters: Whatever you move to, it will be tight! You have a LARGE and GROWING family. It is not a "fault" of the trailer. My PanAm is just comfy for three -- maximum of four. If we ever go to full-time, I'd buy a 2007 Land Yacht or a 2007 Tiffin Allegro Bus (40ft QSP). However, I'd miss my PanAm! Once your crew is grown, maybe you'd return to a AS -- a SOB will not satisfy after having the AS. Maybe if you convert to a bunk house layout, or find a PanAm for the extra bedroom/playroom/toy area?! A big family may equal a Bus Conversion.
Urbanologist is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:11 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.